Assessment Criteria Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding tested in this assignment: Successful students will, by reference to the assignment brief, be able to:
• Distinguish the key elements of the strategic planning process • Determine the management accounting information required to support strategic planning.
Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes tested in this assignment: Successful students will, by reference to the assignment brief, be able to:
• Identify and communicate information relevant for strategic decision-making; • Interpret quantitative and qualitative data and make appropriate recommendations; • Propose, debate and appraise ideas.
Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria and Mark scheme. Guidance for improvement will be given in writing on the Assessment Feedback Form or on the StudyNet Feedback Form within 4 weeks of submission.
For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline, coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until or unless the numeric grade reaches 40 for levels 4, 5 and 6 or 50 for level 7 (PG). If a submission is more than 5 days after the published deadline, a grade of zero will be awarded. Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than 40, no lateness penalty will be applied;
Plagiarism offences will receive standard penalties.
6BUS1184 Advanced Management Accounting Assignment Brief .
Advice on Assignment Brief Assignment Title: AMA Coursework Assignment Description of the assignment: A written report on the strategic position of Tesco’s Group plc Any specific instructions: Please see assignment brief for detailed requirements on each report section Mark scheme below:
Section Heading Weighting Executive Summary 5 Company Overview 5 Key Opportunities and Threats 20 Key Strengths and Weaknesses 20 Financial Analysis 10 Conclusion & Recommendations 20 Appendices /Referencing 10 Presentation and Structure 10 Total 100
Student Support and Guidance • For further help, contact your module leader in their drop-in hours or by email. • Use the Grading Criteria and Mark Scheme to help improve your work. • Go to CASE workshops, use the CASE website and drop-in hours www.studynet.herts.ac.uk/go/CASE/ • Academic English for Business support is available through daily drop-ins from the CASE office. See the CASE workshop timetable on the CASE main website page for details. • Make full use of Library search to identify relevant academic material and the ‘Subject Toolkit for Business’ which contains links to other Information Databases and the Information Management contact details. (http://www.studynet1.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/LIS.nsf/lis/4DAF5390094771C2802575ED004212BF) • Some tutors allow students to test their work using Turnitin. Guidance on submission to Turnitin via StudyNet can be found by using the following link. http://www.studynet1.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/asu.nsf/resource+library/TURNITIN+FOR+STUDENTS +2016+USER+GUIDE.pdf/$FILE/TURNITIN+FOR+STUDENTS+2016+USER+GUIDE.pdf
6BUS1184 Advanced Management Accounting Assignment Brief
You are a graduate trainee in the finance department of Tesco’s plc.
The company is about to review and update its strategic plan for the five years to 2025.
As part of this process the Finance Director has asked you to undertake a strategic analysis of the company and prepare a 2,500 word (+ / – 10%) in accordance with the following framework;
Section Heading & Contents Wordcount Guide
Marks
1 Executive Summary A concise overview that will enable the Board to become quickly acquainted with the purpose of your report, the models and frameworks you have used and the structure of your report. This section should capture the reader’s attention
200 5
2 Company Overview A brief description of the business, i.e. its size, markets it operates in, and key competitors.
200 5
3 Key Opportunities and Threats Identify what you consider to be the top three opportunities and top three threats for the company, in order of priority, explaining each and JUSTIFYING your reasons i.e. EXPLAIN WHY they are an opportunity or threat i.e. what might be the potential future IMPACT on the business. You could consider the following factors (not all of which may be relevant, and this is not intended to be a comprehensive list);
• Competitors and industry rivalry • Barriers to market entry and threat of new entrants • Bargaining power of customers and suppliers • Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal factors
Note: You should refer to, and apply, appropriate analytical models and frameworks where appropriate
600 20
6BUS1184 Advanced Management Accounting Assignment Brief
4 Key Strengths and Weaknesses Identify what you consider to be the top three strengths and top three weaknesses of the company, in order of priority, explaining each and JUSTIFYING your reasons i.e. EXPLAIN WHY they are a strength or weakness and what might be the potential future IMPACT on the business.
You could consider the following factors (not all of which may be relevant, and this is not intended to be a comprehensive list);
For Strengths:
• What key strategically important resources and capabilities does the business possess that provide it with a competitive advantage?
• How can the company use these unique resources and capabilities to take advantage of new market opportunities or defend against external threats and competitors in the future?
For Weaknesses:
• What aspects of business performance need to improve and why? • How does its performance compare with that of its key competitors? • What have customers criticised it for? • How do third parties judge its performance / level of service?
600 20
5 Financial Analysis A summary of the financial performance and position of the business, highlighting key areas of financial strength and weakness. Note: Financial Ratios should be included in the appendices of your report to support your analysis
300 10
6 Conclusion & Recommendations With reference to the preceding sections, suggest how the company could (i) develop its strengths (ii) resolve its weaknesses (iii) exploit opportunities and (iv) avoid or mitigate threats.
600 20
6BUS1184 Advanced Management Accounting Assignment Brief
7 Appendices A. SWOT Analysis B. Financial Summary and Ratios Analysis Maximum one page for each of the above appendices. C. References
Excluded
Presentation and Structure Report format, writing style, grammar and spelling
Guidelines:
• Follow the report format outlined above. • Your report should be submitted online as a single word document with text format at Arial font, word size 11. • Please use 1.5 line spacing. • Long discussion should be divided into logical and coherent paragraphs. • You can use headings and sub-headings. • You can use graphs, charts and tables in your report. • Your work should include relevant research, appropriately sourced and referenced using the Harvard referencing format. • Please go to CASE for help if you are unsure about how to use Harvard referencing. • You must state the word count on the front page.
Your research should include both internal and external sources. The primary internal source is the company’s annual report for 2019. External sources should include commentary and analysis from reliable third-party sources.
References must be from at least 8 high quality sources and should conform to the standard Harvard Referencing System, both within the body of the text and appendices.
The word count includes any tables but excludes a cover page, table of contents, reference list and appendices. The report must be submitted as a single MS Word document on Studynet by 6pm on Sunday 24th of November 2019.
Please do not include your name on the front cover of your report as marking will be done anonymously but you MUST include your Student Registration Number (SRN)
